8.1 The purpose of fisheries monitoring and audit programme as outlined in Annex 17 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) are:
· To verify the accuracy of the predictions of the fisheries impact assessment study;
· To detect any unpredicted fisheries impacts arising from the proposed development; and
· To monitor the effectiveness of the mitigation measures
8.2 The impacts on fisheries resources would be monitored indirectly through the water quality EM&A programme.
8.3 Closed grab dredger, deployment of silt curtains around the immediate dredging area and low dredging rate have been recommended in Water Quality of the EIA report in order to minimise sediment release into the water column.
8.4 Measurements of SS and other relevant water quality parameters should be undertaken during the construction phase of the project. Due to the predicted exceedence of TIN levels during operation of the Project, water quality monitoring would be required during the initial operation stage. These parameters are relevant to the mariculture operations and to the subtidal habitats. These parameters would be best measured within the water quality part of an EM&A programme rather than within a fisheries programme. Detailed EM&A requirements are provided in Section 4 (Water Quality Monitoring).
8.5 The implementation schedule of mitigation measures is presented in Appendix A.